[Breaking] Former Seoul Jung-gu Mayor Seoyangho Sentenced to Prison in First Trial for Illegal Recruitment of Party Members

Former Seoul Jung-gu Mayor Seo Yang-ho was sentenced to prison in the first trial for illegally recruiting party members to secure re-election.

On the 27th, the Criminal Division 27 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Ok-gon) sentenced former Mayor Seo, who was indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act, to 1 year and 6 months in prison. Public officials from Jung-gu Office who were also indicted for participating in the crime received suspended prison sentences.

The court stated, "The defendants engaged in illegal activities in an organized and systematic manner over a considerable period to ensure former Mayor Seo's victory in the party primary. They abused their positions as public officials and used illicit methods, seriously undermining the political neutrality of public officials and the fairness and transparency of the election."

Earlier, former Mayor Seo was accused of recruiting over 2,300 party members by mobilizing about 100 public officials from Jung-gu Office between March and August 2021, and conducting illegal primary election campaigns within the Democratic Party (violation of the Public Official Election Act, etc.). He is also accused of collecting information on tens of thousands of voters, including the recruited party members, and using it for the election.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.